The big-man rotation projects to be the most fluid and based on matchups. Portis is a former first-round pick. Markkanen is the highly valued lottery pick. Felicio signed a four-year, $32 million deal in the offseason.

"The traditional big, there's not a lot of them anymore," Hoiberg said. "So you can get away with playing smaller guys, more skilled lineups. Bobby's an excellent screener, a very good rim roller and runs the floor as well as any big we have. There will be times we play five skilled guys.

"Cris is our best pick-and-roll defender. Cris also gives you a forceful rim roller with a guy (in Markkanen) who can really shoot it and space the floor. That's been a good combination."

Dunn's dislocated finger and Arcidiacono's steadiness have shelved the talk of Valentine serving as backup point guard, for now.

"Ryan has been very solid for us," Hoiberg said. "He got us into an offense with a lot of pace the other night. He's a hard-nosed tough kid who's going to give us good effort at the defensive end as well. Right now, he's that (backup) guy. Denzel, we like him coming off actions as opposed to initiating the offense. He's been very solid coming off a live pick-and-roll as opposed to dribbling into it."

Arcidiacono is on a two-way contract that allows 45 days of NBA service while playing mostly for the Windy City Bulls of the G League. But that service clock doesn't begin until Oct. 23, the first day of G League training camp. He also could sign a new NBA deal if needed, although Dunn's return likely will make that unnecessary.

Such is the state of flux during a rebuild.

Zipser emerged as an unexpected starter even last season, when the Bulls were still a veteran-laden team with Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade. The second-round pick's ability to guard small and power forwards while knocking down open 3-pointers offers a consistent, calming presence for Hoiberg.

"Last season, I was coming to the team with the goal to be on the roster," Zipser said. "So of course I'm happy to be where I'm at. But I've got to still work every day to stay with it."